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Fresh clashes erupted in the City of Esfahan, this morning, as the Islamic regime security forces intervened in order to smash the peaceful protest action of tens of demonstrators in front of the Justice Palace.

Clubs and chains were used against the demonstratorswho were shouting slogans against the regime and its leaders while denouncing the official corruption leading to the banckrupty of the local Islamic Saving Funds.

Several demonstrators were also injured or arrested, yesterday, as they gathered in the Nickbakht avenue.

These new popular actions follow several weeks of unrests during which tens of demonstrators have been injured or arrested by the regime forces. The protesters had set banks on fire and smashed windows of several public buildings in retaliation to the regime forces' brutal attacks.

The residents are defying the security forces in order to show their anger against the Islamic regimes' empty promises to replace millions of Tomans (Iranian currency) that had been stolen from deposited assets. The rumor of the bankruptcy of the local Islamic funds has resulted on massive withdraws and is leading toward its collapse.

Sporadic clashes erupted in the City of Khorram-Abad, on Monday, as three Freedom Fighters named "Safar Khovat-Siani", "Ali Irvani" and "Omid Davati" were hanged publicly under the false charge of "rape".

Tens of Khorram-Abadi shouted slogans against the Islamic regime and its leaders despite the presence of an impressionant security force deployment in the city and especially around the three areas of Shohada bridge and Shaghayegh and Great squares where each of these new victims of the Islamic regime were executed in order to increase the fear among the rebellious population of the city.

Sporadic clashes leading to the injuries and arrests of several demonstrators happened during the carrying and in the aftermath of these executions.

It's to note that Khorram-Abad has been scene of an increasing armed struggle against the regime forces and that the Islamic regime uses often labels, such as, Rapist, Drug Trafficker, Spy, Hooligan or Bandit in order to qualify some of its exasperated opponents. Such policy helps its European and Japanese partners, as well as the UN, to justify the continuation of their relations with a repressive and tyrannical regime vis a vis their public opinions.

Clashes erupt in Mahshahr
Daneshjoo Information Services
May 6, 2004
Violent clashes erupted in Mashahr as the security forces attacked the peaceful protest gathering of the residents and especially the Mosharegeh villagers.

Clubs, chains, tear gas and even bullets shot to sky were used by the regime forces leading to injuries and arrests of several demonstrators.

Several security patrol cars and public materials were damaged in retaliation by the angry crowd.

The residents intended to protest the Kosaran Dam's plan and the presumed damages that will be made to their propreties.

Several teachers arrested at the issue of first day of strike
Daneshjoo Information Services
May 2, 2004
Several teachers have been arrested at the issue of their first day of strike and rallies in front of the regime's Ministry of Education. Arrests were made in Tehran, Esfahan and Hamedan by the plainclothes agents of the regime who were identifying the activists.

While thousands of teachers defied the official threats by striking and not organizing their courses, many of them used this first day to gather and to shout slogans against the regime's officials and policies by requesting an immediate follow up of their conditions.

In most schools, many teachers and supportive students didn't show up or didn't organize regular classes and spoke about the deteriorating situation of the country.

During the today's demos, several plainclothes agents having infiltrated among the demonstrators were recognized and seen their cameras and walky talkies confiscated. Other had to escape as recognized and rush toward the regime's official forces blocking the perimeters in most cities.

Most Academic areas of the Capital and cities, such as, Babol, Esfahan, Lahijan, Kerman, Tabriz, Mashad, Yazd, Gorgan, Amol, Shiraz, Hamedan, Ahwaz, Khomein, Rasht, Kermanshah, Abadan and Oroomiah (former Rezai-e) were touched by the today's action. A wider spread to more cities and a radicalization of strike are planned for tomorrow.

All desperate tries made, in the last days, by the Islamic regime and its security circles, such as, arrest of several teachers and threats of imprisonment or expel were not able to match the teachers exasperation and will to show their anger.

Their today's strike and demos follow several years of actions in order to protest against the persistent deterioration of their conditions, the repressive measures existing in Iranian schools and the non fulfillment of the regime's promises. The teachers are also requesting the immediate release of their arrested colleagues.

Millions of students are supportive of the legitimate aspirations of their "Spiritual Fathers and Mothers" and ready to defy the regime in case of the radicalization of the situation. Such event will face the regime with an unprecedented problem and its impossibility to control around 20 millions of students.

Thousands of Teachers Strike
Daneshjoo Information Services
May 2, 2004
Thousands of Iranian teachers have started a strike in order to protest against the persistent deterioration of their conditions, the repressive measures existing in Iranian schools and the non fulfillment of the regime's promises. The teachers are also requesting the immediate release of their arrested colleagues.

All desperate tries made, in the last days, by the Islamic regime and its security circles, such as, arrest of several teachers and threats of imprisonment or expel were not able to match the teachers exasperation and will to show their anger.

Gatherings in front of the local offices of the Ministry of Education and the Welfare Dept. along with strikes in most schools have started to take place from the early hours of today. Most Academic areas of the Capital and cities, such as, Esfahan, Lahijan, Kerman, Tabriz, Mashad, Gorgan, Amol, Shiraz, Hamedan, Ahwaz, Khomein, Rasht, Kermanshah, Abadan and Oroomiah (former Rezai-e) are touched by the protest action.

Security forces were reported taking position around the local offices of the Ministry of Education by around 09:30 AM (Iran local time) in order to avoid wider mass popular gatherings at the occasion of the teachers' protest actions. Intelligence agents were reported as verifying the schools and to take names of teachers in strike.

Millions of students are supportive of the legitimate aspirations of their "Spiritual Fathers and Mothers" and ready to defy the regime in case of the radicalization of the situation. Such event will face the regime with an unprecedented problem and its impossibility to control around 20 millions of students.

Security Forces Brutalize Esfahan Student Gathering
Daneshjoo Information Services
April 27, 2004
The Islamic regime's security forces and their plainclothes agents brutally attacked a peaceful gathering of Esfahan's medical and pharmacology students yesterday morning. Clubs and chains were used against tens of students in the Azadi Square of this rebellious city that resulted in serious injuries and arrests of several students. Access to the square was sealed by security forces before noon and then tens of brutal agents proceeded to attack and beat the students who shouted slogans against the repression of Iranians.

This new attack follows other repressive actions in Esfahan, especially after the crackdown carried out against those protesting the fraud of the Islamic funds of the city. So far these protests have lead to tens of injuries and at least 50 arrests of those accused by the regime as "hooligans" and "troubled elements."

Demonstrations against the repressive Islamic regime appear to be increasing throughout the entire country. Collective coordination of resources and support of demonstrators objectives has become apparent within Iran and from elements outside of the country.

Official's car destroyed
Daneshjoo Information Services
April 19, 2004
The car of an official of Hamadan was set ablaze, today, during an attack which seems to be due to the popular exasperation in this city. The car was belonging to Khalili, head of the Hamadan Fiscality Department.

Witnesses saw a motobiker who dropped an incendiary susbtance on the parked car and set it on fire before escaping from the scene. No one has been arrested yet.

Attacks and actions against official's propreties are in constant raise and mark the impatience of many to see the Islamic regime ousted from power.

Deadly clashes rock east Tehran
Daneshjoo Information Services
April 14, 2004
Deadly clashes rocked, today, the Omid district, part of Tehran-Pars, located in the eastern part of the Iranian capital.

The regime forces used of bullets and tear-gas in order to smash the popular protest which took place against the illegal appropriation of lands.

At least one protester has been killed and several other have been injured or arrested.

New clashes rock Esfahan and Damavand
Daneshjoo Information Services
April 9, 2004
New clahses rocked the cities of Esfahan and Damavand, today, leading to tens of injured and arrests following the brutal attacks of the regime's special forces.

Clubs, chains and tear gas were used against the demonstrators who were protesting against persistent repression and official corruption.

Several public buildings were damaged in retaliation in both cities and slogans for the overthrown of the Islamic regime were shouted.

While Esfahan is located in center Iran, Damavand which was a day one of the regime's popular bases is located near Tehran.

Unrest in Esfahan
Daneshjoo Information Services
April 3, 2004

Windows of several banks and public buildings were smashed in Esfahan during a protest demo which took place, today, in the Jey Avenue.

Hundreds of residents defyied the security forces and set tires abalze in order to show their anger of the local Islamic funds' empty promises on the restitution of millions of Tomans (Iranian currency) of their deposited assets.

The rumor of the bankruptcy of the local Islamic funds has resulted on massive withdraws and is leading toward its collapse.

Violent clashes rock N. Eastern Iran
Daneshjoo Information Services
Mar 27, 2004
Violent clashes rocked, yesterday, the N. Eastern City of Gorgan as the regime special forces and its Afghan mercenaries moved in order to smash a peaceful protest actions against existing poor conditions and the repressive measures in the region.

Clubs and chains were used against young protesters who exited from a Volley Ball competition by shouting slogans against the local officials.

The brutality of the regime forces lead to the anger of the protesters and hundreds of residents who retaliated to the regime's plastic bullets, clubs and chains with pieces of stones and metallic and wood bars detached from public materials.

Several buildings, including mosques, banks and the governmental TV-Radio station were damaged or set on fire along with several patrol vehicles and TV mobile transmitting unit.

Tens were injured and arrested at the issue of the riot and the situation is very tense in the city and its neighboring areas.

Clashes rock Kashan
Daneshjoo Information Services
Mar 20, 2004
Sporadic clashes rocked, yesterday, the usually very calm City of Kashan as the Islamic regime's security forces intervened in order to break a workers demo in a brutal manner.

Clubs and chains were used against striking employees of the Kashan Textile and their family members and supporters. The repressive forces sent from Esfahan have injured and arrested several protesters.

The situation is tense in the city and employees refuse to continue work unless their conditions are met.

Festival of Light and Fire, A Defiance of Ruling ClericsIran va Jahan News Services
Mar 17, 2004
The inherent sense of Iranian nationalism has always manifested itself during the darkest hours of Iran's turbulent history and delivered the nation from certain collapse. To date Iranian nationalism remains the most potent weapon against foreign occupiers and the present day ruling clerics.

For the last 25 years of the Islamic rule, the Iranian New Year Nowrooz, and the Red Wednesday fire Festival, which falls on the last Tuesday evening of the Iranian year, have been the battleground between the Iranian culture of joy, knowledge and life and the non-Iranian culture of mourning, ignorance and martyrdom.

When Ayatollah Khomeini tried to ban these celebrations, the uncompromising reaction of the Iranian people forced him into his first unprecedented retreat.

In more recent years, the coinciding of the Arab lunar calendar and the Shiite mourning month of Moharram with the solar Iranian calendar and the new year celebrations, gave the impression to the clerics that they can use this opportunity to ban these pre-Islamic celebrations at least while they fall in the month of Moharram. Instead the celebrations became even more poignant and more symbolic in terms of showing defiance to the imposed non-Iranian culture of the ruling clerics.

Grand Ayatollah Lotfollah Safi Golpaygani issued his decree by stating earlier this week: "The superstitious ceremony of Chaharshanbeh Suri is incompatible with the dignity and understanding of the Muslim Iranian nation".

The Islamic regime's security forces tried to reach a compromise this year by not banning the celebrations but declaring only certain official parks in the cities for lawful celebrations. Yet the people and the youth in particular once again turned the Red Wednesday celebrations into a combat zone for the test of forces.

As the youth jumped over the bonfires the traditional ancient rhymes were replaced with anti-government ones. "toop, tank, feshfesheh Akhoond bayad koshteh sheh" " Cannons, Tanks and Firecrackers We must kill the Mullahs".

In the Haft-Howz, Falakeh Dovvom and Nirooye Havaii, districts of Tehran more than 10,000 people had gathered. Some women openly removed their scarves encouraging others to do so too. In Mohseni Square, the youth fought back the Law Enforcement Forces. At least 20 government forces were reported badly beaten up by the crowds. In Amir-Abad district the people joined the students and more anti-government slogans were shouted. Police patrol cars, which attempted to disperse the crowd, drove away from the scene as the people started throwing home made grenades at them. In Aryashahr, the crowd were throwing pictures of Supreme Leader, Khamenei and Islamic Republic flags on to the bonfires.

Other districts in Tehran like Javadieh, Ferdowsi and Noor similar scenes continued. In some districts the noise prevented the telephone reports from making their reports audible.

Not far from Tehran, in Karaj, the house of the Friday Prayer leader was set on fire copying the similar action by the people in Fereydoon Kenar .

In Yazd, between 7000-8000 people gathered in Atlasi Sq and attacked the known regime agents.

In Booshehr, one revolutionary guard is reported killed.

In Shiraz, the people attacked government agents who were filming them and broke their cameras.

In Kerman, the people were shouting, Referendum, Referendum, This is the cry of nation.

In Sarab, Azarbijan, where the people have a fierce reputation for their fighting capabilities, the local Baseejis were on the run while shouting Allah-Akbar.

As in last year Iran's Kurdistan contained the biggest scenes of celebrations. Huge bonfires were reported from Marivan and Sannadaj, with the youth openly taunting the regime's forces.

Even in many other places throughout Iran where the celebrations were less political, young boys and girls circled around bonfires, held hands and danced to the music. An unthinkable act in the month of Moharram, even in the pre-Isalmic revolution of 1979.

So on a night where the Islamic state run TV even resorted to showing popular American films to encourage the people of Iran to stay indoors, the fire of Zarathustra remained defiant and rekindled.

Oil Sector Workers in Iran on Strike!
Translate Report From Gooya.com
Mar 17, 2004
This news story was reported by the Iranian Labor News Agency (ILNA)
and was found on Gooya.com. Briefly translated into English it says that:

Approximately 500 oil sector workers have blocked the road between
Khoramshahr to Ahvaz. They are reportedly in the second day of their strike. The factories they work at apparently manufacture oil pipes.

Regime anti-riot forces start attacking
SMCCDI News Services
Mar 16, 2004
The Islamic republic regime's anti-riot units and plainclothes men have opened the charge, at this time 21:35 local time, against the demonstrators in southern Tehran, Esfahan's Tchahr Bagh and the city of Mashad by using knives, clubs and chains. Unconfirmed reports are stating about the use of plastic bullets in Esfahan and the Sadeghieh square of Tehran.

Several have been badly wounded during the attacks but fierce resistance is being made by thousands of young Iranians, male and female, who are opposing the attacks by the use of all available tools and especially Molotov cocktails which were made for such eventuality.

Sporadic and minor clashes start with night fall and streets enflame
SMCCDI News Services
Mar 16, 2004
Sporadic and minor clashes have started in several areas of the Iranian Capital, Tehran and its suburbs, especially in the southern, eastern and western areas as the night has fall and streets are enflame with thousands of fire set for celebrating the traditional but banned "Tchahar Shanbe Soori".

This time is no more the security forces that are taking initiative of attack but young exasperated Iranians who are throwing hand made grenades and powerful fire crackers against them and forcing them take distance. Several security patrols cars and bikes caught in the middle of the crowd have been damaged by fire or abandoned as its occupants preferred to escape from crowd which is making use of the sirens and speakers of governmental confiscated repressive tools for broadcasting songs under the desperate eyes of the regime forces.

Same trend is getting followed in several provincial cities, such as Esfahan, Shiraz, Hamedan and Kermanshah.

Never, never, Iran had witnessed such celebration as the issue has become of a matter of National and Freedom emblem for millions of Iranians.

The night is just at its start and major actions of defiance are expected till the early hours of Wednesday.

Noise of fire crackers and celebration start to echo in Iranian cities
SMCCDI News Services
Mar 16, 2004
Noise of fire crackers' explosions and celebration have started to echo in most Iranian cities before the night fall. Millions of Iranians have come into the streets, in the late hours of the afternoon, in another show of defiance to the regime and its security forces which are staying, for right now, afar contenting to look the crowd.

In practically each street and avenue of main cities, such as, Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz, Mashad, Tabriz, Kermanshah, Hamadan, Oroomiah (former Rezai-e) large fire crackers are exploding as a prelude to a massive and unprecedented celebration of one of main Iranian cultural heritage and Islamic taboo breaking events.

The night will be very long for the regime forces which have tried to get ready for avoiding popular demos and riots at the occasion of such night and thousands of freedom lovers are intending to create another nightmare for the ruling clerics.

Young freedom lovers are using various occasion in order to throw the big home made fire crackers under the errant security forces cars and motorbikes that are trying to reach their posts. More actions are planned for after the night fall.

Regime deploys thousands of forces in the streets
SMCCDI News Services
Mar 16, 2004
The Islamic regime has deployed, at this time 18:00 Local time, thousands of its forces in the streets and avenues of main Iranian cities in order to avoid any popular riot from taking place at the occasion of the banned "Tchahr Shanbe Soori" (Fire Fiest).

Special forces of the Pasdaran brigades, Bassij force, Law Enforcement Forces, Anti-Riot units and even Islamic brigades are in a wait mode watching, for right now, the crowd which is becoming bigger and bigger. Traffic jams in main cities, such as, Tehran are blocking their fast move.

The night will be very long for the regime forces which have tried to get ready for avoiding popular demos and riots at the occasion of such night and thousands of freedom lovers are intending to create another nightmare for the ruling clerics.

Young freedom lovers are using various occasion in order to throw the big home made fire crackers under the errant security forces cars and motorbikes that are trying to reach their posts.

A lumber depot belonging to regime's affiliates has been set ablaze in the southern part of Tehran and It's like the sky's falling down. The Bazar perimeters and many official buildings are under massive watch as rumor has been spread that people will burn down all vestiges of the regime.

Noise of fire crackers' explosions and celebration are echoing in most Iranian cities before the night fall. In practically each street and avenue of main cities, such as, Tehran, Esfahan, Khorram-Abad, Mahabad, Shiraz, Abadan, Babolsar, Mashad, Tabriz, Marivan, Babol, Bandar e Anzali (former Bandar e Pahlavi), Kermanshah, Hamadan, Oroomiah (former Rezai-e) large fire crackers are exploding as a prelude to a massive and unprecedented celebration of one of main Iranian cultural heritage and Islamic taboo breaking events.

Unrest and violent clashes continued, today and for the 3rd consecutive day, in Fereydoon-Kenar and spreaded to the neighboring cities of Babolsar, Khezer-Shahr and Babol.

Thousands of residents came into the streets especially in Fereydoon-Kenar and resisted to the brutal assaults of the regime forces. Several more demonstrators have been wounded in the today's clashes after the regime heliported special forces opened the charge.

Barricades have been formed and tires set ablaze by the residents who are defended by armed masked young freedom fighters.

All night long, noise of sporadic shootings where heard in the city and a man hunt was organized by the regime forces trying to arrest those involved in the organization of the popular resistance.

Sporadic demos took place in Babolsar, Khezer-Shahr and Babol where the crowd came into the streets by shouting slogans against the regime and its leaders. Road blocks have been instated by the regime forces in order to keep the demonstrators separate .

The situation of the region is very tense and the security measures have been increased in the cities of Amol, Now-Shahr and Chaloos.

Latest News from Fereydunkenar: Moghdad Najaf Nejhad Resigns:
He finally resigned from Parliament. As a result of the rioting of the people in Fereydunkenar Mr. Moghdad fearing for his life and possessions finally resigned from Parliament. It must be noted that the Guardian Council dismissed 3 ballot boxes in order to 'appoint' Moghdad Najaf Nejhad as the winning candidate to the 7th Parliament over Dr. Hojatollah Roohi.

The latest news from Fereydunkenar, 6.30pm 24 Esfand
After hearing news of the attacks by the Sepah (Revolutionary Guards) the people headed towards the Revolutionary guards headquarters were they fought the Revolutionary Guards and the soldiers. There are reports of gunshots being heard from inside the Revolutionary Guards compound.

----------------------------------------------
Major Victory for the people of Iran!
Not only did the sham elections NOT get ignored, but the people protested in massive waves. And when attacked they fought back, taking over half the town, freeing prisoners and setting fire to the home and office of the local Mullah representative of the Supreme leader. Not only did the brutal shootings not stop them, but in an immensely bold move, the people then atacked the Revolutionary Guards HQ!!! And the bogus hardliner candidate just resigned!

Many of the Injured are children in Fereydunkenar Uprising!

Report, Persian To English Translation and Comments by Spenta an ActivistChat.com ActivistMar 14, 2004

From Iranvajahan in Persian (story reported on Peykeiran and also Iranchabar.de web sites)

2. 1 police station was taken over by the people, releasing many of the arrested demonstrators. Half the town was under the control of the people.

3. The erruption occurred as a result of 3 suspicious confiscated ballot boxes that led to the hardline victory in the recent elections in this town, which the people were protesting until the brutal suppression of the regime's forces. Ironically the hardliner candidate had announced that he did not need the people's vote to get elected.

4. The number of injured is too high to estimate. Many of the injured are children, because the regime's forces opened fire at a time when children were walking home from school. Hopsitals in in the town, and adjacent Babol and other cities are full of injured.

5. An eyewitness reports that there were approximately 5 thousand people demonstrating peacefully when the regime's forces opened fire, prompting the people to take over the police station and assume control of half the town. After numerous failed attempts at negotiations between the representatives of the people and the local governemnt, in frustration the people set fire to the home and office of the local friday prayer leader (a Mullah).

End of story

Comments by Spenta an ActivistChat.com Activist!
Pretty soon they will be doing a h.e.l.l. of a lot more than setting fire to the homes and offices of the Mullahs.

In the last revolution you had Palestinian gunmen killing Iranians, and Palestinian & Libyan trained Islamist terrorists from the MKO and Chereekan e Fadayee, attacking government buildings, police stations and military bases. Much of the killing and the violence was committed by Arab and Iranian terrorists and mercenaries, and young men which they lured with machine guns and promises of wealth. Most of the people were too traumatised to say or do anything, and the majority of the violence and brutal killings were carried out by these professional death squads. Afterwards 16 and 17 year old males with machine guns formed the dreaded Komeeteh groups, local revolutionary vigilante squads in charge of each neighborhood, and everyone feared them a lot more than they had ever feared Savak. These vigilante groups then became the Revolutionary Guards.

This time there are no trained terrorists and mercenaries attacking the regime. This time you have grandmothers, children, husbands, wives, students, boys and girls who will let the Mullahs know how the nation of Iran has suffered in the last 25 years.

Can they take on the Revolutionary Guards?

Yes. An organised nationwide mass demonstration will cripple them easily. There simply isn't enough of them to contain mass demonstrations everywhere!

There aren't enough Revoltionary Guards to keep the people at bay, and based on all accounts more than half of the existing Revolutionary Guards in Iran are no longer loyal to the Mullahs. This is why they execute some of the most decorated and respected Revolutionary Guards leaders, to send a message to the more than half who no longer support the regime. Of course this will fail, since it will delegitimise the rulers even more.

If you add up all the foreign fighters,Sepah, Basij, and paid chomaghdarans, you still will not have enough to contain the first mass nationwide demonstration. And these shootings of the regime in the last month, are only recruiting more for the waves of mass nationwide demonstrations that will paralyse the regime.

The bogus elections have made it impossible for anyone to defend the regime inside the country, or claim that it represents the will of the people, and all the shootings throughout Iran in the aftermath are only recruiting more for the final showdown. For everyone they shoot is a symbol that recruits thousands! And once the shooting begins, (as it it already has in all 4 corners of Iran) then it really is over, given Iranian history!

Interestingly the BBC/Muir set are reporting that the people are taking the sham elections well, and they don't care. But then again thats what the western correspondents were filing from Moscow in the last days too, all is well This is probably the exact opposite of what I heard from recent travellers who report very open and bold opposition to the regime is evident everywhere in the form of people defying the regime's rules, more anti regime grafitti evident everywhere than ever before in the last 25 years (the regime can't keep up with the nighttime graffitti operations anymore), people openly criticising the govt. everywhere, and people talking about another "enghelab" for the first time in 25 years!

Ongoing Rebellion in Fereydunkenar!SMCCDI & Others -

Mar 13, 2004
The demonstrations began some hours ago. Fereydunkenar is a small town in the northern province of Mazandaran. The people attacked and were able to liberate a building used by the Islamic Republic's security forces (Sentry Post #2). They then started moving to the city of Babolsar, but were soon confronted by Mazandaran's provincial security forces. They've been pushed back into Fereydunkenar and the latest news I've heard is that the small town is now divided between the rebels and the security forces and the scene of fierce street battles.

Deadly clashes rocked, today, the northern city of Fereydoon-Kenar located by the Caspian sea in the Mazandaran province. Several protesters have been killed and tens of other wounded and arrested.

Several official buildings, including the Security divison, have been damaged as the crowd retaliated to the regime forces extreme brutality and use of lethal force.

The situation is very tense and the regime forces have blocked all accesses to the city in order to avoid the spread of riots to the neighboring cities, such as, Babolsar and especially Amol where sporadic clashes have happened in the last days.

Tens of female students arrested in south TehranReuters
Mar 10, 2004
Tens of young female school students were arrested, today, after they came into the streets of the poor suburbs of Tehran, sucha s, rey and Eslamshahr and shouted slogans against the regime and its leaders.

The brave students faced the security forces and the plainclothes agents by shouting slogans asking for free elections and the dismantelement of the repressive Bassij force.

Security forces stayed affar during the demo as hundreds of residents had joined the protesters but proceeded to their arrests at the end of the action.

The situation in most areas of the Capital is very tense and schools are closed in many districts as the regime wants to avoid more demos to take place especiall with the approach of saturday morning and the banned Fire Fiest on Tuesday.

Iran Teacher Strike Forces Many Schools to CloseReuters
Mar 9, 2004
TEHRAN -- Iranian teachers striking over pay have forced scores of schools nationwide to shut down in the Islamic Republic's biggest industrial dispute for at least two years, teachers and parliamentarians said on Tuesday.

Though frustration over low pay and poor living conditions are widespread in Iran, nationwide strikes are rare in the oil-rich country where hardline judges tolerate little dissent.

Teachers said the strike had not been orchestrated by any labour organisation but had caught on by word of mouth. Labour unions are typically weak and disorganised in Iran.

"We're getting news that most schools are closed because of the teachers' strike and more will be closed until their demands are met," said a parliamentarian, who asked not to be named.

Teachers, who began the strike last week, staged protests outside schools in many cities, including the capital Tehran.

"We should be respected and have better salaries to be able to teach the next generation," said Alosh Hosseini, a 43-year-old father of three who earns a month as a teacher in the northwestern city of Urumiyeh.

"With this salary I cannot even pay my rent," he said. Like many of his colleagues in the public sector, Hosseini has been forced to take a second job driving a taxi to make ends meet.

While teachers said the strike was not politically motivated, some analysts said it could spark a wider crisis.

"It might lead to a political crisis because teachers' influence extends from the working class to the intellectual elite," said Hossein Mirzamani, a political science lecturer at Tehran University.

But another analyst said it was unlikely the strike would spread to other sectors and the approaching Iranian New Year holiday beginning on March 20 would deprive the strike of much momentum.

While Iran's economy has grown strongly in recent years, state employees in particular often complain their low wages are constantly eroded by inflation running at around 16 percent.

Last week, scores of teachers gathered in front of parliament and chanted slogans against the authorities for ignoring their demands.

The main association for school teachers, last week warned of the consequences of a lengthy strike. "This event might lead to a national challenge and ignorant officials are responsible," the Teachers' Organisation said in a statement.

"There is no cause for anxiety. The problem will be solved in the next days," he said, without elaborating.

Pupils Join Striking Teachers Against Security ForcesIran va Jahan
Mar 9, 2004
London -- Pupils in a school in Hamedan, west Iran, joined ranks with their striking teachers and repelled the Islamic Law Enforcement Forces (LEF).

The LEF had targeted the Kothar school in Hamedan, and wanted to intimidate the striking teachers to go back to the classrooms, but the pupils who were outraged by watching the way their teachers were being treated, attacked the LEF and drove them out of school.

The protests soon spread outside the school and the pupils targeted government buildings. LEF anxious about the protests spreading and in fear of more people joining the pupils retreated and were content on containing the protests inside the school.

This morning, there are reports of more students protesting in support of teachers in Jomhouri Ave. Tehran.

In Ardebil and Isfahan the strikes are reported to be solid, and there are irregular classes in the rest of the country.

In Karaj, 700 female students joined their striking teachers.

Iran's teachers are now in the third day of their strike and have vowed not to teach until their demands are met.

Regime forces beating up Iranian women and supportersSMCCDI News Services
Mar 8, 2004
The Islamic regime's forces and plainclothes agents intervened, at Laleh park of Tehran and its surrounding areas, in order to smash the celebration of the "Int.'l Women Day" by beating the female protesters and their male supporters.

Clubs and chains were used against hundreds of brave women of different ages showing once again the brutality of the theocratic regime which has based one of its main pillars on a back warded and sword forced imported ideology dating of 14 centuries to go and which discriminates women.

Faces of several women were seen in blood and many had injuries on their faces.

Several male supporters who intended to oppose to the brutal repression were beaten up badly and were seen laying on the ground.

Police Crack Down on Demonstration in Tehran

KRSI Radio & Iran va Jahan
Mar 8, 2004
Eyewitness reports from Tehran to KRSI radio station in Los Angeles indicate that a gathering by Iranian women and young men commemorating women's day, in Laleh Park, is being savagely repressed.

Chants of " Non Violence" were filled in the air when the police charged the demonstrators.

Hundreds of women defy the regime by gatheringSMCCDI News Services
Mar 8, 2004
Hundreds of Iranian women along with their male supporters have gathered at this time (17:00 local time) at the Laleh Park located in the center of the Iranian Capital.

They have defied the non declared official ban and the massive presence of the regime forces by reaching the Park located in the Fatemi avenue (former Aryamehr).

They are shouting slogans, singing the baned "Oh Iran!" and making speeched under the desperate eyes of the regime forces which have stayed affar from attacking them till now.

High security measures adopted to stop "Int.'l Women Day" celebrationSMCCDI News Services
Mar 8, 2004
High security measures have been adopted and will be applied, later today, in order to stop the planned celebration of the "Int.l Women Day". The regime forces have been mobilized, especially in the Capital, to crackdown against Iranian women and their male supporters by pretexting the unlawful nature of the gatherings.

While the right of making peaceful demonstrations is recognized by the Islamic regime, its Ministry of Interior has not issued any response to the formal request made by several feminist organizations.

Iranian Women who are representing the majority of the Iranian Nation have been struggling, since the conception of the Islamic republic regime, to keep their rights which have been mainly revoked and disregarded.

They have all been subjected to the Sharia Apartheid Law and discriminatory measures while hundreds of them have been killed and thousands wounded and forced to leave their job for their braveries and having defied the backwarded regime's ideology. Several of them were killed on January 7, 2003, as they defied the regime and its taboos by burning their veils. Savage militiamen used of their knives and acid base substance to kill and wound several of them with the benediction of the regime's hardliners and the silent complicity of the sham reformists.

One of the Iranian Women's main slogan, since the Islamic revolution of 1979, has been the famous and so many times shouted: "Na Roosari, Na Too Sari" (No Veil, No submission).

It's to note that the Iranian Women had one of the most freer life styles during the former Iranian regime while some of the familial law had been changed according to their rights and many other were under discussion in order to secularize them. Many of them, unveiled, were exercing high rank professions and functions, such as, Ministry of State, Ambassador, Policewoman, Military Officer, Fighter Pilot, Doctor, Teacher, Nurse, Ingenior, Actress, Director and various other jobs.

Knowing these historical facts, some demagogue International Reporters, such as Christiane Amanpoor of CNN who's of Iranian origin, tried to promote the sham theory of reforms under Khatami's presidency and to cover this flagrant discrimination by pretexting that "Iranian women situation is better than in Saudi Arabia as they're allowed to drive car".

Ms. Amanpoor was able to take back her father's home, confiscated during the revolution, following several reports which highly credited the so-called reformists in the eyes of the unaware world opinion. She's married to M. Rubin who was the White House Speaker during the Clinton administration.

Iranian Teachers Start Intermittent StrikesSMCCDI News Services
Mar 6, 2004
Thousands of Iranian teachers have started a one week intermittent, or roving, strike protesting empty official promises, and persistent repressive and discriminatory measures against them. Teachers are seeking better classroom conditions, living wage salaries, release of their jailed colleagues, and the public trial of those involved in the deaths of two of their colleagues killed during the teachers demonstration of January 2002

Strikes have been reported in most areas of the capital and the provincial cities of Esfahan, Mahabad, Shiraz, Hamadan, Kermanshah, Mashad, Amol, Marivan, Khorram-Abad and Oroomiah (former Rezai-e). In Oroomiah (Rezai-e) teachers report, or show up, but refuse to enter classrooms and actually teach. Teachers in the cities of Rasht, Yazd and Bojnoord are expected to join the strike as early as tomorrow.

The strike and probable radicalization of their movement will present the regime with grave problems as millions of young Iranians will be sent out into streets in the current explosive situation. Millions of students stayed in school courtyards, despite official injunctions and demands, in a sign of solidarity and rejection of official orders. In the courtyards students made their plans for the religiously banned "Fire Fest," and the "celebration" that they'll make during this tabooed night of demonstrations. The banned "Fire Fest" will be celebrated this year on March 16th, despite coinciding with the religious month of Moharam. Iranians are planning for wide scale celebrations, and the rejection of the Islamic regime and its despotic ideology.

Mass protests rock Iranian cities instead of religious mourningSMCCDI News Services
Mar 2, 2004
Thousands of Iranians seized, this evening and for the 2nd consecutive night, the religious ritual of Ashura in order to come into the streets and to show their rejection of the theocratic regime.

Slogans qualifying the regime as tyrannical and despotic were mixed to the noise of fire crackers and gave again a total different aspect than a religious mourning which the regime has based on it one of its ideological bases. Many slogans accused the regime to be the real mastermind behind the today's deadly explosions of Karbala and Baghdad as many Iranians still remember the scandal over the bombing of the 8th Imam of the Shi-a, in Mashad, which was in reality carried by agents of the Islamic regime instead of opponents who were executed few years ago for such charge.

Sporadic clashes leading to injuries and arrests, among the demonstrators and also the regime forces, rocked several areas of the Capital and also several provincial cities, such as Esfahan and Shiraz. Hand Made grenades and incendiary devices responded to the regime's men clubs, chains and tear gas which were used against young Iranians striving for freedom and an end to the promotion of the culture of mourning.

Several security patrol were damaged by the incendiary devices thrown by the crowd angered by the persistent repression and back warded ideology.

Most perimeters to Madar, Mirdamad, Zarab Khaneh Shahrak Gharb, Tehran Pars, Narmak, Vanak, Eslam Shahr, Dolat, Tajrish and Vali- e-Asr (former Vali-Ahd) were closed in the Capital due to the wide scale demos and sporadic clashes. The same security measure were instated by the regime's local forces in the cities of Esfahan, Abadan and Shiraz.

2nd night of Fire Cracker "mourning" leads to more arrestsSMCCDI News Services
Mar 2, 2004
For the 2nd consecutive night, tens of young Tehrani residents have been arrested following the brutal attacks of the Islamic regime's militiamen and plainclothes agents who have intervened, at this time (22:00 IR local time), in order to stop hundreds of protesters to transform, once again, the Shi-a religious mourning of Ashura into another show of rejection of the Islamic religion and the theocratic regime.

Clubs and chains are used against demonstrators gathered in the Madar and Tehran Pars areas of the Capital.

While most official mourning places such as mosques have been emptier than any year, the noise of fire crackers and celebration is covering the usual noise of mourning ritual.

Tens arrested following sporadic clashes in TehranSMCCDI News Services
Mar 2, 2004
Tens of young Tehrani and Esfahani residents were arrested, yesterday evening, following the brutal attacks of the Islamic regime's militiamen and plainclothes agents who intervened in order to stop the hundreds of protesters to transform, once again, the Shi-a religious mourning of Ashura into another show of rejection of the Islamic religion and the theocratic regime.

Clubs and chains were used against demonstrators gathered in the Madar, Shahrak Gharb, Tehran Pars and Narmak areas of the Capital and the N. Chahr Bagh of Esfahan.

While most official mourning places such as mosques were emptier than any year, the noise of fire crackers and celebration was covering the usual noise of mourning ritual.

Mourners beaten up in IzehSMCCDI News Services
Feb 28, 2004http://www.daneshjoo.org/smccdinews/article/publish/article_4124.shtml
Security agents of the Islamic republic regime attacked a ceremony commemorating the deceased demonstrators of last week's sham election and brutally beat many of the innocent mourners. Mourners of last week's sham election demonstrators murdered by regime security thugs were viciously beaten in Izeh when they requested the return of bodies for proper burial.

The vicious beatings occurred when regime security thugs refused to return the bodies to the families, and then demanded huge sums of money for the remains of the loved ones. Realizing the ceremony mourners had witnessed an illegal extortion demand from the security thugs, they proceeded to attempt to intimidate the witnesses by beating them.

Brutality and outright murder is used by the regime's so-called security forces to intimidate demonstrators, and others that do not agree with the Iranian rulers dictates.

The situation in the entire region is very tense and many people have reportedly been arrested and held by the Iranian regime's security apparatus.

Protest wave rocks more provincial citiesSMCCDI News Services
Feb 22, 2004http://www.daneshjoo.org/smccdinews/article/publish/article_4122.shtml
A growing wave of national protests continues to rock Iran with the latest turmoil occurring in the provincial cities of Ardel, Kiar and Farsan. As recently reported in many other cities, the peaceful demonstrators were viciously attacked by regime security forces while marching and vocally expressing their opinions of the regime and it's leaders. Using plastic bullets, tear gas and clubs, regime security forces set upon the peaceful demonstrators inflicting injury to tens, and unlawfully arresting many more.

The brutal attacks by the regime's security forces infuriated the demonstrators instigating a riot that resulted in damage to public buildings and security patrol vehicles. It is anticipated that the intensity of the demonstrations nationwide will increase as regime security forces attempt to muffle public descent and become more desperate.

The situation in the region is very intense and most Iranians expect the violence to escalate.

In Dehdasht (old name Belad-Shapoor) between 2 to 9 people are reported to have been killed in the clashes. People started protesting after the cheating just became too brazen.

In Firoozabad, Fars, people clashed with the Law Enforcement Forces when a cleric by the name of Yunesi-Sarcheshmeyi was declared the winner. One conscript soldier is reported killed. It is not certain whether he was on the side of the people or against them. The people have set fire to banks and all shops are shut.

In Miando-ab, West Azerbijan, some of the cheaters have publicly confessed how they were taught by a cleric to remove the voting stamp from their ID cards and vote again.

Marivan is still reported to be tense after several days. People have beaten up one of the candidates by the name of Ali Karimi, after he was seen in public.

In Izeh, the outgoing MP who clashed with the bodyguards of a judiciary official after pointing out the cheatings, is said to have died after going into a coma as a result of his injuries.

In Bam, the quake victims have protested at their ongoing conditions by gathering in Sardaran-shahid Square.

Today in Isfahan, more than 25000 people in three locations, Nikbakht Court, AhmadAbad Square, and in front of the provincial government building have gathered after a saving account was declared bankrupt one day after the elections. Even though the authorities knew about the bankruptcy before the elections. Several banks have been attacked and had their windows broken.

In Malekan in East Azerbijan, people were told that 45000 are eligible to vote, yet the number of declared votes for candidates totalled 50000! Everyone including children and old people have poured into the streets of Malekan and there is non-stop running battles with the Law Enforcement Forces.

Today Mehdi Karubi, the outgoing speaker was asked why he is in the 31St position in Tehran election results. His reply was "Because people boycotted the elections".

Sporadic clashes, often very violent, rocked, today, several provincial cities located in north east Iran, such as, Mashad, Sabze war, Neishaboor and Tchenaran where the security forces and their Afghani members intervened to smash the popular demonstrations.

The protest actions with slogans against the regime and its leaders took place following the electoral frauds witnessed after the successful boycott of the sham elections.

Clubs and tear gas were used to break the peaceful demos and lead to the popular anger expressed against the regime's official buildings and its security patrol cars.

In Sabze war, several residents were injured and in Tchenaran casualties have been reported.

Thousands of Iranian teachers have started a week long strike in sign of protest against the empty official promises and the persistent repressive and discriminatory measures against them.

Observed strikes have been reported from most areas of the Capital and provincial cities, such as, Esfahan, Mahabad, Shiraz, Hamadan, Kermanshah, Mashad, Amol, Marivan, Khorram-Abad and Oroomiah (former Rezai-e) where the teachers have attend school but refused to be present in the classrooms. Teachers of other cities, such as, Rasht, Yazd and Bojnoord are expected to join the strike as early as tomorrow.

Teachers are still asking better conditions, the release of their jailed colleagues and the public trial of those involved in the deaths of two of their coleagues killed during the Teachers demonstration of January 2002.

A spread of their strike and the radicalization of their movement will face the regime with a grave problem as millions of young Iranians will then be send to streets in the current explosive situation.

Millions of school students stayed in the courtyards, despite the official injunctions, in sign of solidarity and rejection of the official order speaking more of what they're planning for the religiously banned "Fire Fiest" and the "celebration" that they'll make during this tabou breaking night. The banned "Fire Fiest" will be celebrated, again this year on March 16th, despite coinciding with the religious month of Moharam and Iranians are planning to make wide scale celebration and rejection of the Islamic regime and its ideology basis._________________Referendum AFTER Regime Change

"I'm ready to die for you to be able to say your own opinions, even if i strongly disagree with you" (Voltaire)

TEHRAN -- Residents of the quake-hit city of Bam in southeast Iran rioted in anger at continuing difficult living conditions more than two months after the massive tremor, a press report said Saturday.

They burned cars and destroyed containers after a demonstration on Thursday degenerated into violence, the reformist daily Shargh reported.

It quoted provincial authorities as saying that agitators on motorbikes incited the demonstrators, prompting police to intervene during the night.

The authorities said there were no casualties, but the Fars news agency quoted Bam's Friday prayer leader, Asghar Asgari, as saying that two people were wounded by bullets fired in the crowd.

Shargh said the demonstrators, who numbered 500 at one point, protested at the indifference of the authorities, saying promises of officials had not been kept while they continued to live in tents and with inadequate sanitation.

The provincial governor's office accused the media of exaggerating the extent of international aid, leading the residents to believe that reconstruction would be easy.

The historic city of Bam and its region were devastated on December 26 by the worst earthquake in more than a quarter of a century, which killed some 43,000 people._________________Referendum AFTER Regime Change

"I'm ready to die for you to be able to say your own opinions, even if i strongly disagree with you" (Voltaire)

Thousands of Iranian teachers have started a week long strike in sign of protest against the empty official promises and the persistent repressive and discriminatory measures against them.

Observed strikes have been reported from most areas of the Capital and provincial cities, such as, Esfahan, Mahabad, Shiraz, Hamadan, Kermanshah, Mashad, Amol, Marivan, Khorram-Abad and Oroomiah (former Rezai-e) where the teachers have attend school but refused to be present in the classrooms. Teachers of other cities, such as, Rasht, Yazd and Bojnoord are expected to join the strike as early as tomorrow.

Teachers are still asking better conditions, the release of their jailed colleagues and the public trial of those involved in the deaths of two of their coleagues killed during the Teachers demonstration of January 2002.

A spread of their strike and the radicalization of their movement will face the regime with a grave problem as millions of young Iranians will then be send to streets in the current explosive situation.

Millions of school students stayed in the courtyards, despite the official injunctions, in sign of solidarity and rejection of the official order speaking more of what they're planning for the religiously banned "Fire Fiest" and the "celebration" that they'll make during this tabou breaking night. The banned "Fire Fiest" will be celebrated, again this year on March 16th, despite coinciding with the religious month of Moharam and Iranians are planning to make wide scale celebration and rejection of the Islamic regime and its ideology basis.

Thousands more of Iranian teachers joined, today, the 2nd day of a one week intermittent, or roving, strike protesting empty official promises, and persistent repressive and discriminatory measures against them.

The strike has spread to several more of the capital's academic areas and to most provincial cities, such as, Sannandaj, Ahwaz, Rasht, Kashan, Babol, Dezfool, Zahedan, Bojnoord, Bandar Anzali (former Bandar Pahlavi), Esfahan, Mahabad, Shiraz, Hamadan, Kermanshah, Mashad, Amol, Marivan, Khorram-Abad and Oroomiah (former Rezai-e). While most of the active duty teachers have showed up at schools but are refusing to teach, hundreds of their retired colleagues made, in most cities, a morning gathering in front of the local official centers of Teachers Funds in order to protest against the persistent degradation of their conditions and the non fulfillment of promises made to them.

In several cities, such as, Gorgan and Yazd, the docile and officially created Teacher associations had spreaded the rumor that all the teachers conditions are fulfilled in order to avoid the strike to go on but teachers have denounced such usual demagogy and are planning to join the strike following a last meeting with the regime's delegates dispatch to these areas.

In most schools, students shouted slogans in support of their "Spiritual Fathers and Mothers" which in many of them minor clashes and altercations have been reported between the students and the regime's agents.

The strike Teachers are seeking better classroom conditions, living wage salaries, release of their jailed colleagues, and the public trial of those involved in the deaths of two of their colleagues killed during the teachers demonstration of January 2002.

It's to note that the radicalization of their movement will present the regime with grave problems as millions of young Iranians will be sent out into streets in the current explosive situation. Millions of students stayed in school courtyards, despite official injunctions and demands, in a sign of solidarity and rejection of official orders. In the courtyards students made their plans for the religiously banned "Fire Fest," and the "celebration" that they'll make during this tabooed night of demonstrations. The banned "Fire Fest" will be celebrated this year on March 16th, despite coinciding with the religious month of Moharam. Iranians are planning for wide scale celebrations, and the rejection of the Islamic regime and its despotic ideology._________________Referendum AFTER Regime Change

"I'm ready to die for you to be able to say your own opinions, even if i strongly disagree with you" (Voltaire)

High security measures have been adopted and will be applied, later today, in order to stop the planned celebration of the "Int.l Women Day". The regime forces have been mobilized, especially in the Capital, to crackdown against Iranian women and their male supporters by pretexting the unlawful nature of the gatherings.

While the right of making peaceful demonstrations is recognized by the Islamic regime, its Ministry of Interior has not issued any response to the formal request made by several feminist organizations.

Iranian Women who are representing the majority of the Iranian Nation have been struggling, since the conception of the Islamic republic regime, to keep their rights which have been mainly revoked and disregarded.

They have all been subjected to the Sharia Apartheid Law and discriminatory measures while hundreds of them have been killed and thousands wounded and forced to leave their job for their braveries and having defied the backwarded regime's ideology. Several of them were killed on January 7, 2003, as they defied the regime and its taboos by burning their veils. Savage militiamen used of their knives and acid base substance to kill and wound several of them with the benediction of the regime's hardliners and the silent complicity of the sham reformists.

One of the Iranian Women's main slogan, since the Islamic revolution of 1979, has been the famous and so many times shouted: "Na Roosari, Na Too Sari" (No Veil, No submission).

It's to note that the Iranian Women had one of the most freer life styles during the former Iranian regime while some of the familial law had been changed according to their rights and many other were under discussion in order to secularize them. Many of them, unveiled, were exercing high rank professions and functions, such as, Ministry of State, Ambassador, Policewoman, Military Officer, Fighter Pilot, Doctor, Teacher, Nurse, Ingenior, Actress, Director and various other jobs.

Knowing these historical facts, some demagogue International Reporters, such as Christiane Amanpoor of CNN who's of Iranian origin, tried to promote the sham theory of reforms under Khatami's presidency and to cover this flagrant discrimination by pretexting that "Iranian women situation is better than in Saudi Arabia as they're allowed to drive car".

Ms. Amanpoor was able to take back her father's home, confiscated during the revolution, following several reports which highly credited the so-called reformists in the eyes of the unaware world opinion. She's married to M. Rubin who was the White House Speaker during the Clinton administration._________________Referendum AFTER Regime Change

"I'm ready to die for you to be able to say your own opinions, even if i strongly disagree with you" (Voltaire)

The regime's pressure has been increased from the begining of the Iranian week, Saturday, on identified opponents who have had judicial problems.

Arbitrary arrests, search of homes and cars, questionning and threats are used against those who had been formerly jailed but released while several new arrests have been made among student, teacher and worker activists.

The regime seems to be preparing itself for an International diplomatic confrontation and is intending to pacify any threat coming from whitin the country._________________Referendum AFTER Regime Change

"I'm ready to die for you to be able to say your own opinions, even if i strongly disagree with you" (Voltaire)

Summary of Iran Stories in Today's Broadcasts
Monday, March 08, 2004
RadioFarda's Coverage of the International Day of Women

•As thousands gathered in Park Leleh near Tehran University to take part in the rally called for by “Campaign to End Violence Against Women,” the police and plainclothes security forces blocked the way and announced that the permit for the rally has been revoked by the interior ministry, whereas organizers at the Women's Cultural Center were told by the office of the Tehran prosecutor at 11 AM that their event was banned, although neither the prosecutor's office nor the police could produce a written order. At 6 PM, an hour after the organizers had left the scene, the police said the event could go on, but soon moved in to push event goers out of the park. People began shouting slogans as they were being pushed to the southern gates of the park, which were closed. In their slogans, they called for a referendum on the regime and the repeal of discriminatory Islamic laws. (Ali Sajjadi)
•In a letter to Irene Khan, secretary general of Amnesty International, the womeniniran.com website invited her to Iran for a first-hand observation of the problems faced by Iranian women. (Shireen Famili)

•In a speech at the UN International Labor Organization, Shirin Ebadi said she was wearing black to show her grief on Women's Day. “The failure by governments across the Islamic world to respect women's rights has hampered even hesitant steps toward political change, she said, adding that “the rights of women and democracy are one and the same thing.” The position of women in Islamic countries is due to the patriarchal system in these countries, which reject democracy, as well as gender equality, she added. “An Iranian woman faces an easier situation than women in hard-line Saudi Arabia, but still needs her husband's permission to work, travel or divorce,” Ebadi said. Speaking alongside Ebadi, Carla Del Ponte -- chief prosecutor of the U.N. war crimes tribunal -- said women have raised their profile on the international stage over the past decade. (Mahmonir Rahimi, Geneva)

•Three prominent female authors take part in today's RadioFarda Roundtable, which is focused on the Iranian women's movement in the Islamic Republic. Author and Johns Hopkins University English professor Azar Nafisi says it is ironic that in the era of the Islamic Republic, which tries to take away women's rights, the issue has taken center stage. The Islamic Republic could not take away from the Iranian women their past achievements and the world's advances in women's rights. Author and Britain's York University professor Haleh Afshar says: The Islamic Republic never wanted the women to have freedom and equality, but the Iranian women resisted. Author and former UN representative in Afghanistan Parvin Payedar says the Iranian women have a long way to go, even though their efforts, along with the realities of a modern society, have helped them resist the Islamic Republic in a campaign to regain the rights they had gained under the former regime, such as equality in marriage and divorce. However, she adds, many of the rights, such as the right to choose their dress, travel abroad, equality in marriage and divorce, and many other rights have been taken away, as the Islamic Republic legalized a patriarchal order. (Shahran Tabari, London)

•Several prominent writers based in Iran, Europe and the US took part in the first online seminar organized by the womeniniran.com website. UCLA professor Nayereh Tohidi said women in Iran have reached a level of awareness, as a result of the confluence of local and national conditions with international movement for women's rights. Magazine editor Shoaleh Irani said the Iranian women's movement has an organized structure and has grown horizontally by adopting such causes as the plight of street children and the environment. Women's rights activist Maryam Khorasani said the women's rights movement has succeeded in broadening awareness about women's issues beyond the intellectual community. Writer Soheila Vahdati said the destiny of the women's rights movement should not be linked to that of any other political movement. Writer and activist Marzieh Mortazi Langaroodi said in the past 100 years, all decisions affecting women in Iran have been made by men at the top, and in the Islamic Republic these decisions have always focused on the preservation of the regime itself. (Maryam Ahmadi)

•The UN and Geneva University invited 2003 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi to Geneva. She is scheduled to speak at the Swiss parliament, as well as at an event organized by the Parsian society. Geneva-based organizer Alireza Vaez-zadeh tells Radio Farda that Parsian's goal is to promote the peaceful movement of the Iranian people towards democracy. Former UNESCO advisor and Tehran-based commentator Ehsan Naraghi, who is in Geneva for the event, tells Radio Farda that the event is organized by young Iranians who are eager to introduce to the world a woman who has earned the Nobel Peace Prize for her work. For a change, he adds, a positive aspect of Iran's ancient culture and civilization is being shown to the world. (Mahmonir Rahimi)

•For the first time, many universities are holding events on women's rights on the International Day of Women, Tehran-based activist Mahin Khadivi tells Radio Farda. Violence against women is accompanied by laws that do not protect the victims, Tehran-based sociologist and women's rights activist Shahla Ezazi tells Radio Farda. (Kianusch Faried, Vienna)

•Women play a key role in the democratization process in Iran, Illinois State University and Toronto University professor Mohammad Tavakoli-Taraqi tells Radio Farda. Due to the pressures and restrictions, a major evolution has taken place within families, which makes gender equality a possibility in Iran, he adds. (Maryam Aghvami, Toronto)